If hindsight is 20-20...

RedRose87 · June 2012

What would be the one thing you wish you had known before going into labor/giving birth?

Was there anything you wish you had brought with you to the hospital?

What was the one thing you were glad you DID bring with you that helped you make it though the labor/delivery?

If you could give one piece of advice that you wish someone had told you, especially to a first time mother giving birth, what would it be?

I am being induced on Wednesday morning, I'm a first time mother, and just wanting to hear some experiences. I am planning on a pain med-free birth.

thatoneredhead · June 2012

RedRose87:

What would be the one thing you wish you had known before going into labor/giving birth?

That its emotionally draining like nothing Ive ever been through before. Pain wasnt too bad (I took the epi), but the struggle was intense. Its seriously like climbing a mountain and I cried.. alot... just to get some of the tired out.

Was there anything you wish you had brought with you to the hospital?

Large black shorts or pants. I was uncomfortable wearing even the grey ones I brought and those pads are massive.

What was the one thing you were glad you DID bring with you that helped you make it though the labor/delivery?

My own pillows and afterwards cute onesies for my lo

If you could give one piece of advice that you wish someone had told you, especially to a first time mother giving birth, what would it be?

To really really lock in your heart every second after your little one is born. It was so frantic, I totally forgot to look into his eyes and really wish I could have that moment back

and also, I shot my husband quite the look when he suggested we let lo sleep in the nursery. I compromised and told the nurse to take him once I fell asleep. He had bad spit-up problems and I ended up letting her take him before I did. I just about cried when he left, but it felt so, so good in morning when we were able to start our first full day with him with a full nights sleep.

I am being induced on Wednesday morning, I'm a first time mother, and just wanting to hear some experiences. I am planning on a pain med-free birth.

Good luck! I was induced and had a pretty good experience with it. Hope the same for you

CaitlinJ22 · June 2012

RedRose87:
What would be the one thing you wish you had known before going into labor/giving birth?
Was there anything you wish you had brought with you to the hospital?
What was the one thing you were glad you DID bring with you that helped you make it though the labor/delivery?
If you could give one piece of advice that you wish someone had told you, especially to a first time mother giving birth, what would it be?
I am being induced on Wednesday morning, I'm a first time mother, and just wanting to hear some experiences. I am planning on a pain med-free birth.

I went med free for the first time this birth. I had pit and it was HARD, but it went fast. I can say speak up. Sometimes they up the pit every 15 mins and you dont have to have that. I told them to stop it and give me a break at one point. They left it and didnt up it again for an hour. i can also say that I am so happy DH asked to have the pit turned off after my water was broken. Pit contrax sneak up on you, there is no build up. Without the pit it was more manageable.

Remember when you think you cant do it anymore, its almost time. You are in transition and that goes fast. Good luck.

kdjudd · June 2012

I wish I would have known that my LO was sunny side up and the back labor would be excruciating.

I actually didn't need anything at the hospital though. I did a great job packing my bags. I had lots of extra things even.

I think the thing that helped me the most during labor/delivery was using the shower and jacuzzi. That isn't something that I brought with me, but it was fantastic on my back and stomach when I was having bad contractions. I have to say I did love having my boppy and gowns that were easy to nurse in though. That made the rest of the hospital stay nice.

If I could give one piece of advice that I wish someone had told me it would be not to be afraid to ask for help when pushing. I pushed for four hours, but because my LO was sunny side up and had a hand next to her head, it was virtually impossible to get her out on my own. After four long hours I was exhausted and in agony. Finally the doctor used the vacuum to get her out. I wish he would have done it sooner because by the time she was out I was too exhausted to even hold her much.

Good luck on your birth! I hope everything turns out the way you want it!

champ579 · June 2012

I was supposed to be induced on 6-11 and instead the baby came on 6-10. I would suggest enjoying the last day that it is just your dh and you.

My labor wasn't bad but I went in with an open mind and no birth plan, I would do it the same way again. I went for the epi and I pushed for 20 minutes and low and behold I was holding my little girl pretty quick.

I was happy that I brought my baby book because the nurses put her footprint into the book right away. And we got a cool picture of them commemorating the moment. I was also happy that I bought black palazzo pants for postpartum.

Savor each moment, don't beat yourself up if things do not go in the way you imagined, in the end it is not about the experience it is about the end result.

Best of luck, it is an emotional roller coaster and you might find yourself crying at nothing but it is all worth it.

notfrancie · June 2012

The pitocin contractions are hell-- if you are on the fence about taking the epidural I totally recommend it. Also, speak up-- if you feel like things are moving fast, ask for your doctor to check your dialating, etc.

I was pretty happy with what we brought to the hospital.

I LOVED having my own pillow with a pretty pillow case, a new nursing nightgown, and a sweet headband for post baby photos

My advice: it's a PLAN, it's not written in stone. Go in with an open mind (and mouth if you need it) and things will be easier.

GOOD LUCK!

GracieBlue · June 2012

RedRose87:
What would be the one thing you wish you had known before going into labor/giving birth? I wish I had known I was going to end up with a c-section. That way I would not have bothered laboring with no pain meds for all of those hours trying to have a natural birth. Since I ended up with an epi anyways!
Was there anything you wish you had brought with you to the hospital? A bathrobe or some other open front sweatshirts. Some of my own music.
What was the one thing you were glad you DID bring with you that helped you make it though the labor/delivery? A birthing ball (it was the hospitals - but I called ahead of time to make sure they had one there)
If you could give one piece of advice that you wish someone had told you, especially to a first time mother giving birth, what would it be? Keep your plans flexible. Be willing to adjust as the birth progresses.
I am being induced on Wednesday morning, I'm a first time mother, and just wanting to hear some experiences. I am planning on a pain med-free birth.

caeraRose · June 2012

RedRose87:
What would be the one thing you wish you had known before going into labor/giving birth?
Was there anything you wish you had brought with you to the hospital?
What was the one thing you were glad you DID bring with you that helped you make it though the labor/delivery?
If you could give one piece of advice that you wish someone had told you, especially to a first time mother giving birth, what would it be?
I am being induced on Wednesday morning, I'm a first time mother, and just wanting to hear some experiences. I am planning on a pain med-free birth.

I also had planned on a med-free birth, and I did go med-free. I really wish I had known, though, that no matter how determined you are, it's very normal to want to give in and get medication, and that it's absolutely ok to have that conversation. My labor progressed more quickly than we expected, so I was having strong contractions close together, and I had no idea that I was already in transition. I felt like such a failure for wanting to even talk about pain meds, but I was pretty convinced that I couldn't handle it... luckily, DH kept his head, and said that we would definitely talk about it as soon as I got checked to see how dilated I was.

I wish I had brought my lanolin cream... I don't know why I thought I didn't need it, but I was really wishing I had it after 24 hours and I was getting very sore.

I'm going to sound super cheesy here, but I'm just glad that I "brought" DH. He absolutely supported me all the way through labor. When I was starting to feel out of control, he kept me together.

I'm sure that I'm going to upset some people with this, but I absolutely cannot say enough how glad I was that I went med-free. I'm sure epidurals do help a lot with the pain, and I'm not going to pretend that it didn't hurt a lot (though I will also point out that I had terrible back labor for 3 days before as well as during active labor itself, and I got through just fine). But I was alert the entire time, and I am soo glad I felt everything. I ended up with a 1st degree tear, and I actually felt it rip... it hurt and scared me a little, so I stopped pushing, and I suspect that if I hadn't stopped in that moment, it could have been a lot worse.

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